Chapter 224: Omen (11)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 224: Omen (11)
Moyong Hi-ah invited herself into my room without so much as a by-your-leave.
Perhaps it was her presence, but the small space suddenly felt a good deal colder.
“I’ll be taking my leave now,” she announced.
“Yes, you certainly will,” I replied.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“…”
Was she actively trying to get cursed out?
I knew Moyong Hi-ah was cold and irritating, but I didn’t recall her being quite this shameless in my past life. How had she ended up like this?
Or maybe she was always like this?
That was entirely possible. Regardless, the situation was deeply uncomfortable.
“Uh…”
“You may speak.”
“I heard our clan has struck a deal with the Moyong Clan.”
“That is correct.”
As we spoke, I took in Moyong Hi-ah’s appearance. None of her usual trappings were present: the heavy perfume, the thick makeup, the gaudy accessories. This was a stripped-down version of her, devoid of ornamentation. I was seeing Moyong Hi-ah’s natural face.
She looks similar to how she did in the Abyss.
Back then, she hadn’t been in any position to preen or adorn herself. It had been a daily struggle for survival. Personally, I preferred her current look.
[You claim to dislike her, yet you’re staring at her face.]
It’s right in front of me. Where else am I supposed to look?
[…Well, it’s hard not to look at a beauty like that.]
Elder Shin’s mutter was quiet, but it echoed directly in my mind, so I caught every word.
Elder Shin.
[What?]
You haven’t forgotten, have you?
[…Hmm?]
You know. That really pretty girl from the Moyong Clan…
[Ha.]
Elder Shin responded with palpable condescension.
[You think I’d forget such a trivial matter after all this time? You’re far too preoccupied with romance, brat.]
…I see. That’s fine, then.
I nodded at his response. I decided to pretend I hadn’t noticed the distinct tremor in his voice. If I pushed any further, I knew he’d sulk and refuse to speak to me for days. How could a Taoist be so petty?
[Hmm? Did you say something?]
It was nothing.
[Is that so? Strange… I could have sworn you were talking shit about me.]*
His hearing was preternaturally sharp…
“I’d like to ask you a question first,” I said.
“You may ask. I am listening.”
“…Why are you doing this?”
“Pardon?”
It was a question I had to ask. “My understanding was that the Moyong Clan was establishing its business in Shanxi and providing financial support.”
“Yes.”
“But from my perspective, the terms of this deal seem… absurd.”
“Indeed. Our clan offered a considerable amount. Is it still insufficient?”
It was more than sufficient. The Gu Clan had never been overly concerned with wealth, nor did we possess a particular greed for it, but that didn’t mean we turned it away.
Ours is not a clan that acts solely for reward.
Other clans accepted donations in exchange for protecting the people from demons. The Moyong and Tang Clans used their commercial enterprises to amass greater fortunes, but the Gu Clan did no such thing. We took responsibility for Shanxi’s safety but did not demand significant donations in return. Of course, we received some support due to our connections with the upper class…
But evidently, not enough to grant the clan a luxurious standing.
To be precise, it was more accurate to say we didn’t receive much, despite being labeled a noble clan.
“That’s not the issue. I want to know why your clan is willing to incur such a loss just to acquire my… heat.”
“Ah.”
She looked as if she’d forgotten to explain that part. Unlike her usual cold and alluring demeanor, she attempted a cute, apologetic expression.
What in the world is she doing?
But I knew even that was an act. Moyong Hi-ah was a girl who knew her strengths all too well. She understood that a slight change in demeanor could be immensely useful.
“Hmm…”
However, seeing that I remained unmoved, Moyong Hi-ah reverted to her standard expression.
“As expected, that doesn’t work on you.” Tsk.
I felt a sense of relief as she clicked her tongue in disappointment. Her personality remained unchanged, just as I’d expected. The only difference was that her gaze seemed slightly altered from the one she had directed at me in the past.
“You become more fascinating the longer I look at you. Is there something wrong with you?”
“Wrong…?”
“…You know. Like… perhaps an issue with your masculinity…”
“What are you talking about?”
“But judging by how you interact with the Poison Phoenix and the Sword Dancer, that doesn’t seem to be the case…”
What did she mean, ‘doesn’t seem to be the case’? What wasn’t the case, you bastard?
I stared at her for a moment before asking with a sigh, “Let’s end the jokes here.”
“I’m not joking, though…”
“…How about you explain why you need my heat.”
I had to cut this pointless conversation short and get to the main topic. Continuing to banter with Moyong Hi-ah would only make me angrier.
When I steered the conversation back, Moyong Hi-ah’s expression turned serious for a moment. She adjusted her posture, kneeling properly on the floor and clasping her hands respectfully. Seeing this, I straightened up as well.
“As I said, I require Young Master Gu’s heat.”
“Yes, but why?”
“If you wish to know the reason, you must accept a Shackle.”
“A Shackle?”
What kind of reason necessitated a Shackle? If it was what I suspected, it was likely related to Moyong Hi-ah’s condition.
“For your information, the Lord of the Gu Clan did not ask for the reason.”
“…So he sold out his son without even hearing the details?”
“…”
Her silence was confirmation enough. It seemed my father was more materialistic than I’d thought.
After a moment’s thought, I spoke. “Then I won’t ask for the rea—”
“I actually have a condition,” she interjected.
“Hey, why do you keep interrupting if you aren’t going to let me finish?”
“…It’s a condition where Ice Qi accumulates if I don’t manage it with my own Qi.”
I hadn’t intended to hear it from her, since I already knew, but she went and said it anyway. Was she insane?
I frowned, annoyed at being forced to hear something I’d wanted to avoid. My reaction caused Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes to widen slightly.
“You… aren’t very surprised?”
“You told me without my consent. Why should I be surprised?”
“Not for that reason… but this isn’t the usual reaction people have.”
Honestly, I felt I’d messed up a little with my response. I should have at least feigned some surprise. Even though I’d heard about her condition directly from her, I’d failed to react appropriately. I got swept up in the moment.
I didn’t know if it was because I was talking to someone so fundamentally incompatible, or because of my memories from my past life. I circulated my Qi to soothe my suddenly queasy stomach.
“…So, that’s why you need my heat?”
“Yes.”
“But why me? I’m not the only one who can produce heat.”
I knew that Moyong Hi-ah’s condition couldn’t be improved simply by having a heat source nearby. If that were possible, she wouldn’t have suffered her entire life. And it’s not like I’m the only one in the world who practices Fire Arts.
There was Gu Huibi, not to mention Father. Gu Ryunghwa belonged to Mount Hua, and Gu Yeonseo was still unable to summon significant heat. Furthermore, while the Gu Clan was renowned for Fire Arts, we weren’t the only practitioners. Considering that some of the Hundred Masters of the World specialized in Fire Arts, why had Moyong Hi-ah chosen me, of all people?
Maybe I just seem like an easy target?
No, that couldn’t be it. She wasn’t the type to choose a partner for such a frivolous reason.
Then what is it?
I wondered if perhaps only my specific heat could affect her condition.
But that seems unlikely…
I knew that wasn’t the case just from remembering ‘that day’ in my past life. Our bodies had been locked together… but unlike my burning heat, Moyong Hi-ah’s body had been icy cold.
As I turned these thoughts over, Moyong Hi-ah’s response was firm. “It has to be your heat.”
“…”
“I felt it last time. It will work, but only if it’s Young Master Gu’s heat.”
A pale finger cautiously reached out toward me. The hand approached slowly, finally touching mine. Yet her touch was hesitant, as if she didn’t dare grasp it properly.
“…Please.”
Her plea was sudden, but I thought I understood what she was asking for. Without a word, I channeled a small amount of heat through our point of contact.
Flinch.
I felt Moyong Hi-ah’s body shudder slightly as my heat flowed into her.
Seeing her reaction, I thought to myself, …Really? Does it actually have an effect? Why? Just why?
I couldn’t comprehend it, no matter how much I thought. What was different between the Moyong Hi-ah of then and the Moyong Hi-ah of now?
Is it because she’s younger?
It was possible her condition worsened with time, but that probably wasn’t it.
Maybe… it’s because of the changes in my Gu Flame Wheel Art?
If I considered what I possessed now that I hadn’t in my past life, that was the only thing. If the Heavenly Demon’s power was the ability to absorb the energy of others, then perhaps I could also absorb Ice Qi. But judging by how her body reacted to my heat, it was more likely linked to my Gu Flame Wheel Art.
Similar to how it purges Demonic Qi, maybe it repels Ice Qi?
When I thought about the evolution of my Gu Flame Wheel Art in this life, I remembered I could now burn Demonic Qi to purify it, converting it into normal Qi. Since that ability hadn’t existed in my past life, this was the only explanation I could conjure.
“…Hngh…”
“Ah.”
A pained groan snapped me out of my thoughts. I’d gotten so lost in my head that I’d forgotten the present situation. I quickly looked up at Moyong Hi-ah.
“Are you oka—”
But judging by how she had lowered her head and curled into herself, she was clearly not okay at all.
“L… Look… at it.”
After struggling for a moment, Moyong Hi-ah spoke in an exceedingly faint voice. I could barely hear her. She seemed to be trying to conceal her trembling voice, but wasn’t having much success.
“It’s… It’s you…”
“Huh?”
After uttering those incomprehensible words, Moyong Hi-ah suddenly stood up and straightened her clothes.
“…I’ll take my leave for today.”
“So suddenly?”
“Yes… I think it would be too difficult for me if we continued.”
What would be too difficult? The slightly unsteady way she walked was concerning, but I stopped her because there was one thing I needed to ask.
“What about the Shackle?”
“Huh…?”
“You said I needed to accept a Shackle if I learned about your condition.”
It was annoying, but at this point, I had to go through with it. A Shackle from a noble clan could be broken, so it didn’t matter much anyway. I’d just accept it and find a way to nullify it later.
Hearing my question, Moyong Hi-ah wore an expression that seemed to say, ‘Oh, right, I did say that,’ and offered a slight smile.
“That was a lie.”
“What?”
“Normally, a Shackle would be necessary… but I had no intention of placing one on Young Master Gu.”
“Why is that?”
When I pressed for a reason, Moyong Hi-ah thought for a moment before replying, “‘Because I felt I could make an exception for someone as trustworthy as you’… is an answer you wouldn’t believe, correct?”
“…”
As our eyes met, Moyong Hi-ah suddenly turned her head and covered her mouth. It was obvious she was trying to stifle a laugh.
“…Sorry. Your expression was quite a sight.”
‘Quite a sight.’ It sounded like an insult, which annoyed me. But amidst all this, I couldn’t help but wonder if my heat had actually helped her. I could still sense the Ice Qi within her.
“Will this really be effec—”
“Young Master.”
“Huh?”
“Thank you. I’ll be leaving now.”
This was undoubtedly a positive sign, but our conversation felt unresolved.
“…I, too, would like to continue our friendly chat.”
“It wasn’t particularly friendly.”
“But I don’t know what might happen to me if I stay any longer.”
What did she mean by that? Moyong Hi-ah’s gaze drifted to a specific spot after she spoke. When I followed her line of sight…
“…”
I saw three pairs of eyes peeking around the corner, heads poking out. The effect was especially weird because each pair of eyes was a different color.
“What are you all doing over there?” I asked, my tone incredulous.
The eyes just continued to stare, offering no response. How had they even found out about this? A chill ran down my spine.
“I’ll be going first. Thank you very much for today, Young Master Gu.”
It seemed I wasn’t the only one feeling that chill, as Moyong Hi-ah retreated from my room with quicker steps than usual. As she left, she glanced at the three girls and called back to me, “It was a good time. I’ll ask again on our next night together.”
“What?”
After leaving me with those incredibly misleading words, she vanished with light, rapid steps.
“Wait… At least explain properly!”
I immediately tried to stop her, instinctively realizing I was in deep trouble.
Grasp.
But a hand stopped me first. Then came the voice.
“Explain.”
I gulped nervously upon hearing Namgung Bi-ah’s deadly serious tone. Not only was her expression more emotionless than usual, but two other ‘squirrels’ were hiding behind her.
Haha.
It looked like I wouldn’t be getting a comfortable night’s sleep.